Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans for 2021

The 2020 federal budget proposed that Medicare Advantage plans for 2021 will become a permanent part of the program. However, there are many states in which the trend is toward canceling them. Here is an overview of the status of each of the thirteen states that have plans for the coming year.

Alaska – Abenaki. The Native American tribe is offering supplemental health care coverage to new members in its Alaska Health Care Plan. Alaska’s Abenaki people face the same unique challenges as do other indigenous people in Alaska. But they do not have adequate access to health care professionals, so their Medicare Advantage plans for 2021 are set up to fill in those gaps.

But because of the reservations in which the Abenaki people live, many of these reservations do not yet have a medical facility that is certified by the federal government. The group recommends that if you qualify for Medicare Advantage coverage, you should contact your state agency for recommendations of local physicians.

Arizona – Navajo. Navajos rely on tribal medical facilities for treatment and are not able to obtain treatment at any federally recognized hospitals, meaning that Medicare Advantage plans for 2020 will not be available. A group of Navajo who own a small medical center in Prescott, AZ are seeking FDA approval to provide such treatment.

Colorado – Navajo. An Arizona organization, Navajo Nation Inc., is offering Medicare Advantage plans for 2020, but has not yet obtained the federal approval it needs to make that option available to the public.

Connecticut – Indian tribes. The state requires that people receive treatments in the state through one of the tribes that are members. For example, Cherokee, Miami, Mohawk, Pocumtuck, Mohican, Tuscarora, Mohave, Onondaga, Seneca, Nez Perce, and Pueblo.

Delaware – Indian tribes. Several tribes in the state participate in Medicare Advantage plans.

Florida – Abenaki. Abenaki are not permitted to participate in Medicare Advantage plans for 2021, even though they are not qualified, because the state law only allows tribal hospitals and health care providers to participate.

Georgia – Indian tribes. The state allows tribal hospitals and physicians, but not Medicare Advantage plans.

Hawaii – Abenaki. The state does not permit Medicaid to pay for Medicare Advantage plans.